5 Apps that will help you achieve your New Year’s resolution

Sometimes maintaining a New Year’s resolution is a resolution of its own. However, this year, the solution to sticking to your goals is right at your fingertips – literally.

Every year we are more and more attached to our smartphones, so why not put them to good use? Whether it’s sticking to a budget, losing a few pounds, or just cooking more at home, your device may just help you make those goals a reality.

Here are five apps that can help create a “new” you come 2013.

Stick to a budget

Keeping track of your finances has never been easier with Mint.com. This app allows you to directly connect your bank accounts, credit cards and saving accounts directly to your software, automatically tracking your transactions. This secure app allows you to categorize your expenses and set goal budgets. The app will allow you to take steps into reaching saving goals, give you reminders as you reach your budget and most importantly, teach you how to budget. Start budgeting today by clicking here.

Pick up a hobby

( Courtesy / SparkRecipes)

Why not pick up cooking as a hobby – there is nothing more satisfying than enjoying a dish you made from scratch. And if you don’t have the time or expertise to make a multiple course meal, Healthy Recipes by SparkRecipes is the perfect app for you. You can set how long you want to spend cooking, what ingredients you have available or what type of dish you want to prepare. If you are indecisive of what it is that you want to do, you can always hit the spin categories button and let the app decide for you.

Bend into shape

Running and weightlifting is so 2012 – change up your exercise routine and relax while you do so with the app Simply Yoga. We all know that to get the perfect workout you need to be physically and mentally prepared, and this free application helps with both. The perfect app for yoga beginners, it provides video examples of the poses, making them easier to follow in order to get the best full body workout. Check it out for yourself.

Strengthen your relationships

We’ve all been there, weeks go by and you realize you haven’t spoken with a best friend, loved one, or significant other. Allowing you to “thumbkiss,” Pair is the perfect application to stay caught up with a person you love. Long distance relationships or just friendships are no longer a strain with this application. So download it, upload your video or photo messages and tell that special person how much you love them.

Pick up a language

Learning a new language may be that extra push you need professionally or simply to meet new friends. Whether it’s Spanish, French or Sign Language there is an app for that – a favorite this year is Marlee Signs. Academy Award winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin will teach you the fundamentals of American Sign Language by allowing you to enter the words you want to sign or demonstrating how to sign everyday expressions. The best part of this app is that is easy to use for both adults and children.